A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

You’re likely already familiar with the much-celebrated Toyota Highlander, but did you know that Toyota has actually offered a hybrid version of everyone’s favorite crossover SUV since 2006? The 2012 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is one of the most exciting vehicles on the market for families and individuals who want more carrying capacity and the sporty look of an SUV without losing fuel economy. It’s no wonder they keep selling so well and maintain such great resale values.

Changes for 2012

2011 brought about a few major changes for the Highlander, so Toyota left it almost exactly as-is for 2012 with just a few design tweaks.

What We Like

The fuel economy in the 2012 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is incredible for a crossover SUV, and you can get that great gas mileage without sacrificing space, suspension, or any of the other features you look for in a small SUV.

What Concerns Us

Don’t try to take this model too far off the beaten path. It has a fair amount of power and torque, but it really is made more for getting everyone to soccer practice than it is for hitting the trails. If you want to get off road and get your SUV muddy, you might want to consider a different model.

Available Models

You can choose from a number of different trim options for the 2012 Toyota Highlander, depending on which features you want most. Under the hood you’ll find:

Engine – 3.5-liter V6 hybrid

Power – 280 HP (net system)

Torque – 248 lb-ft at 4700 RPM

Fuel economy (MPG city/highway) – 28/28

Major Recalls

There have been no major recalls for the 2012 Toyota Highlander Hybrid.

Common Issues

Most car buyers are really happy with their 2012 Toyota Highlander Hybrids, but some have complained that the seats are not as comfortable as they could be, especially on longer road trips. This is by far not the norm, and you can find out how you’ll feel about the seat design when you take a test drive.

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